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BENSON AND HEDGES CHAMPIONSHIP

Shaun Murphy staged a superb comeback to snatch the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship title in Malvern on Thursdsay night and book his place in next year's B&H Masters.

Murphy, 18, became one of the youngest winners in the 11-year history of the tournament as he recovered from 5-2 down to beat Stuart Bingham 9-7.

It was his eighth victory of the event and by far the greatest of his brief professional career.

Murphy, who does not even play on the game's main circuit, pocketed a £5,000 first prize and is also guaranteed £10,500 for his appearance at the Masters next February, where he will face Marco Fu.

For Bingham, the world number 43 from Basildon, he picked up £3,000 but that was of little consolation with so much at stake to the winner.

There seemed no way back for the Irthlingborough teenager after a disappointing opening session. But he showed maturity beyond his tender years to slowly claw his back into contention.

The 10th frame was just one of the close frames that tipped the balance Murphy's way. From 54-0 down he came back with a superb 63 break.

He eventually obtained parity at 6-6 with a break of 99 and began to grow in confidence. He took the next two frames to lead 8-6 but lost the seventh to Bingham's half century.

The 16th frame was racked with tension and when Bingham missed the final blue using the rest, Murphy stepped in to pot two of the last three colours for his fairytale victory.

"I didn't come here expecting to win the tournament but now I have it's a dream come true. I've been to Wembley many times to watch and it looks a fantastic place to play.

"It will be awesome and I can't wait to get there."

Crestfallen Bingham said: "It was really all or nothing to the winner. I felt more nervous today than I did all week because there was so much at stake."